Alabama Week 11 Review
The Crimson Tide dominated Mississippi State from start-to-finish in an impressive 51-3 win that clinched the SEC West Division for the third straight season. In less than three quarters of action, quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns and added another 100 yards on the ground. Hurts became the first player in Alabama history to record 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in the same game. Alabama (10-0, 7-0) hosts UT-Chattanooga on Saturday (Nov. 19) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Auburn Week 11 Review
Auburn’s chances of wi-nning the SEC West evaporated in a crushing 13-7 loss to rival Georgia last week. The Tigers (7-3, 5-2) were plagued by injuries both before and during the game, including injuries to quarterback Sean White, running back Kamryn Pett-way and Stanton Truitt and fullback Chandler Cox. Auburn’s defense kept the Bulldogs’ offense out of the end zone, but White was intercepted on the first drive of the second half by Maurice Smith, who returned the interception for a touchdown. The Auburn offense failed to pick up a first down in the second half. The Tigers host Alabama A&M this Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
SEC football rankings
1. Alabama (10-0, 7-0)
2. Auburn (7-2, 5-2)
3. LSU (6-3, 4-2)
4. Arkansas (6-4, 2-4)
5. Tennessee (7-3, 3-3)
6. Florida (7-2, 5-2)
7. Texas A&M (7-3, 4-3)
8. Ole Miss (5-5, 2-4)
9. Georgia (6-4, 4-4)
10. Kentucky (5-5, 4-4)
11. South Carolina (5-5, 3-5)
12. Vanderbilt (4-6, 2-4)
13. Mississippi State (4-6, 2-4)
14. Missouri (3-7, 1-5)
Week 12 Previews and Predictions
Week 11: 3-4; season: 71-19
Game of the Week
Florida at LSU (-13.5). Last Saturday’s game between LSU and Florida was originally scheduled for October but it was postponed due to a hurricane. If the Gators win, they clinch the SEC East for the second consecutive year. A loss doesn’t necessarily eliminate Florida, but the Gators would need Tennessee to lose one of its final two games in order to clinch the division. LSU can’t win the SEC West, but interim coach Ed Orgeron is still coaching for a chance to maintain his job in the offseason. Prediction: LSU 24, Florida 13.
Missouri at Tennessee (-15.5). Tennessee’s path to winning the SEC East includes defeating both Missouri and Vanderbilt while hoping Florida loses to LSU. If the Vols do win the East, they will get another chance at Alabama, who beat UT 49-10 earlier this season. Prediction: Tennessee 38, Missouri 16.
Arkansas at Mississippi State (-1.5). The Bulldogs must win out in order to reach a bowl game and have two tough SEC West games against Arkansas and Ole Miss remaining. The Razorbacks are already bowl eligible but are looking for a strong finish to the season after last week’s loss to LSU. Prediction: Arkansas 27, Mississippi State 24.
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt (+10). Ole Miss freshman quarterback Shea Patterson was impressive in his first game as a starter in leading the Rebels to an upset road win over Texas A&M. With a win over Vanderbilt, the Rebels will become bowl eligible. The Commodores need two wins in their last two games over Ole Miss and Tennessee to reach a bowl game. Prediction: Ole Miss 24, Vanderbilt 10.
Alabama A&M at Auburn (-51.5). Auburn’s chances of winning the SEC are finished, but the Tigers still have a chance to win 10 games this year. Auburn has injuries on both sides of the ball but will have a chance to get healthy on Saturday. Prediction: Auburn 51, Alabama A&M 6.
UT-Chattanooga at Alabama (-49.5). The Crimson Tide already has locked up the SEC West division crown and likely will face either Tennessee or Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Even with a loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl or in the SEC title game, Alabama will still be in the College Football Playoffs for the third straight season. Prediction: Alabama 52, UT Chattanooga 3.
Austin Peay at Kentucky (-41.5). If the Wildcats defeat Austin Peay on Saturday – and they should – Mark Stoops will reach a bowl game for the first time in his career. This year has been an improvement for Stoops and the Wildcats, and it should give him job security for the offseason. Prediction: Kentucky 55, Austin Peay 3.
Western Carolina at South Carolina (-30.5). The Gamecocks’ offense couldn’t move the ball against Florida but remain in position to reach a bowl game if they knock off Western Carolina on Saturday. Not many expected Will Muschamp to win six games in his debut season, but the former Florida head coach has impressed in his first year in Columbia. Prediction: South Carolina 38, Western Carolina 13.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia (-23). Georgia’s upset win over Auburn was Kirby Smart’s biggest win of his short career as a head coach, and the Bulldogs will look to build on that victory this weekend. Prediction: Georgia 38, Louisiana-Lafayette 10.
Texas-San Antonio at Texas A&M (-27.5). Two weeks ago, the Aggies were ranked fourth in the first College Football Playoff rankings. Two losses later, Texas A&M is barely hanging on to a spot in the Top 25 and likely is headed for another eight-win season. Prediction: Texas A&M 37, UTSA 10.